Rovers led higher-level Peterborough Sports, who had been reduced to nine men, in a preliminary round tie at Hall Road until conceding a stoppage-time penalty.

Darren Woodend’s foul on Josh Moreman was punished by one-time Eynesbury man Jamie Graham from the spot to set-up a replay for the right to host Evo-Stik League Premier Division side Stafford Rangers in the first qualifying round.

That late twist came at the end of an action-packed second period in which Sports had two players – Ash Robinson and David Femiola – dismissed either side of Dom Lawless’ opener for Rovers from the penalty spot.

And it is an advantage Ducket insists his men should have held onto to record a memorable success. Instead they face the prospect of having to cause a shock on Sports’ turf to advance.

Ducket said: “We will never have a better chance of beating a higher-level team than Saturday.

“There is no question we should have seen the game out against a side reduced to nine men.

“It was just a case of being clever and professional in how we handled the closing stages, but our game management was shocking.

“In fact we were the opposite. We lacked concentration, were naive in possession and invited pressure on ourselves.

“But I know I have a squad full of players determined to fight for a place in the next round and the only way they can put things right is by going to Sports and winning the tie there. That will be a huge task.”

Victory tonight would see Eynesbury host Step 3 opposition in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup for the second successive season. They were beaten 3-1 by Sutton Coldfield Town at the same stage last term.